Foot and Ankle Problems Our Podiatrist Northwest Indiana Office Treats
Here at Friendly Foot Care our podiatrist Northwest Indiana office provides patients with the latest in leading edge heel, foot and ankle care. In fact, there are few foot or ankle problems our podiatrists cannot treat — there is a reason why our podiatry practice has earned the honor of the “Best Podiatrist” award from the Post-Tribune and “Best of the Region” from the NWI Times repeatedly! For more information about our podiatry office read patient reviews of our care by clicking here. To read Dr. Nirenberg’s CV click here.
Dr. Nirenberg or “Dr. Mike” as patients call him, has assisted law enforcement, including the FBI, on homicide cases involving foot-related evidence (such as footprints) and gait analysis and his assistance has helped convict murders. His foot and ankle expertise has been sought by numerous media, including USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, WBBM radio and FOX News (click here to read more news).
Here are some of the more common foot and ankle problems we treat at our Northwest Indiana podiatry practice:
Nerve Problems, Neuropathy, Numbness, and Burning
Friendly Foot Care is now using new, breakthrough techniques which can often alleviate burning, tingling, numbness and shooting pain. These techniques were learned from hands-on experience with the doctor who developed them—Lee Dellon M.D., professor of Plastic Surgery and Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.
We are among a handful of physicians who alleviate nerve and neuropathy problems using techniques developed by Dr. Dellon – one of the top peripheral neurosurgeons in the world (http://www.dellon.com). Patients who experience burning, numbness, tingling, shooting pain or abnormal sensation in their feet or ankles, could have neuropathy or a pinched nerve. Alleviating these problems is something that we specialize in. To learn more about treatment of nerve problems click here.
Foot drop correction is also an option our podiatrist office offers. Foot drop is a weakness pulling up the front of the foot while walking.
To make an appointment to have your feet and ankles evaluated by our award-winning podiatry office, please call us today at (219)663-2273 or make an appointment online by clicking here now.
Heel Pain, Heel Spurs and Arch Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)
Heels get a bad rap. The dictionary defines a heel as a dishonorable person, and the term “Achilles’ heel” refers to a fatal weakness. The reality is our heels are quite strong, though no other part of our foot malfunctions more. Heel pain is the number one problem we treat.
Heel pain (and arch pain) can be very complicated and may have a variety of causes, including a stress fracture, heel spur, pinched nerve, bone cyst, or tumor. Most patients with heel pain or arch pain believe they have a heel spur (also called heel spur syndrome). This may be part of the problem, but the most common cause of heel pain—whether or not a heel spur is also present—is inflammation of the largest ligament in our foot, the plantar fascia. In doctor-speak this problem is called plantar fasciitis.
Treatments for plantar fasciitis range from custom-made arch supports (called orthotics), to special stretching exercises, to the revolutionary, high-tech shockwave treatment. In some cases, we will use a hi-tech camera (called an endoscopic camera) to enter the heel through a tiny opening and with a very small surgical instrument we loosen (release) the inflamed ligament. To learn more about this “endoscopic” procedure Click Here.
To make an appointment to have your feet and ankles evaluated by our award-winning podiatry office, please call us today at (219)663-2273 or make an appointment online by clicking here now.
Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle
Degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, or just plain old “Arthur” is a deterioration of the joints between our bones. When Arthur visits people’s feet or ankles, many believe they just have to live with it. This is far from the truth. The reality is we have many techniques that may help alleviate arthritis for you, including a high-tech, tiny arthroscopic camera that can remove arthritis from sore ankles. Sometimes the podiatrists at our Northwest Indiana podiatry practice will offer patients with arthritis or pain in their feet or ankles an injection of cortisone. Cortisone is a steroid that lessens inflammation. A cortisone injection may help your foot or ankle feel better and allow you get back to walking without pain.
To learn more about our arthroscopic procedures for arthritis, please Click Here.
Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Foot, Toes or Ankle
Arthritis in the toe, foot or ankle may not always be degenerative (or osteoarthritis) in nature. Rheumatoid arthritis often causes toe, foot or ankle pain or problems. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that can affect the joints of a toe or anywhere in the foot or ankle. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause pain in the toes, foot or ankle, and may act to make the toes deform or contract.
Persons with rheumatoid arthritis may have a painful bunion or hammertoe, or may develop nerve pain, neuropathy and other problems of the foot, toes or ankle. Our doctors often treat people with rheumatoid arthritis in the foot or ankle. Common treatments include a custom made orthotic (arch support), medications, braces and splints and surgery. Other options for arthritis include a cortisone injection or cortisone shot. Cortisone injections are generally given to reduce inflammation and pain. Cortisone is a type of a steroid that mimics our body’s natural cortisone to a degree.
To make an appointment to have your feet and ankles evaluated by our award-winning podiatry office, please call us today at (219)663-2273 or make an appointment online by clicking here now.
Lupus, Raynaud’s Disease and Other Connective Tissue Disorders
Lupus, Raynaud’s disease and other connective tissue diseases often cause pain and problems in the feet, toes and ankles. The pain from lupus or other connective tissue diseases can be burning or numbness or just plain sore. Our doctors have a variety of method of providing lupus patients and others with connective tissue disorders with relief.
To make an appointment to have your toe, foot or ankle evaluated by our award-winning podiatry office, please call us today at (219)663-2273 or make an appointment online by clicking here now.
Fibromyalgia of the Toes, Foot or Ankle
Fibromyalgia foot pain is common, as is pain from fibromyalgia in the ankle or toes. Nerves and joints in our feet can become sore and tender or outright painful in persons with fibromyalgia. People with fibromyalgia may have pain in their feet when walking or even lying in bed. Some fibromyalgia patients with foot problems have limited their walking and activities.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease and at this time there is no cure. However, our doctors can provide treatments to alleviate fibromyalgia pain in the toes, feet or ankles in most cases. Please call our office for an appointment to learn more about what our doctors can do to help you with your fibromyalgia related foot or ankle pain.
To make an appointment to have your foot or ankle evaluated by our award-winning podiatrist Northwest Indiana office, please call us today at (219)663-2273 or make an appointment online by clicking here now.
Flat Feet or Fallen Arches
Often, flat feet or fallen arches can not only cause pain in the feet and ankles, but may affect the knees, legs, hips and back. Usually, our Northwest Indiana podiatrist office finds that these problems can be alleviated with our custom-made foot orthotics. Foot orthotics (or custom made arch supports) are often very helpful in alleviating foot problems in persons with fallen arches or flat feet. In some cases, particularly with younger patients, we may actually improve the arch for persons with flat feet by sliding a small implant between the bones of the foot.
Bunion Pain and Bunion Problems
Our podiatrist office foot doctors love fixing bunions and bunion surgery has become quite advanced and hi-tech these days. Our Northwest Indiana podiatrist office uses a variety of methods to treat a painful bunion with surgery. Bunion surgery techniques range from the Swiss technique, to minimal incision surgery methods, to implants and tendon balancing procedures. Often, bunion surgery is done on an “out-patient” basis with the patient sedated or under “twilight sleep.” Usually, the bunion surgery procedure takes about 25 to 30 minutes and you can walk that day in a special “surgery” shoe without crutches or even a cane, though most people need to limit their activity initially.
To learn more about how our Northwest Indiana podiatrists treat bunions, please visit our bunion surgery page by Clicking Here.
Arthritis of the Big Toe (Hallux Rigidus)
When you have a big toe with arthritis or an arthritic big toe joint (hallux rigidus) it may look normal; however the inside of the big toe or great toe joint at the base of the big toe bones may be deteriorated. Arthritis of the big toe can be painful. It may a persistent gnawing pain as you walk through your day. Sometimes the big toe won’t bend completely or in severe cases, the big may not bend or flex at all because of the arthritis. A cortisone injection is another option to alleviate pain in the big toe. If you are interested in a cortisone shot ask the podiatrist if this is a good treatment for you.
We usually start by taking a digital x-ray of the foot to see the extent of the arthritis. Like a bunion, simple treatments can lessen the pain of arthritis in the great toe. In on some cases a short out-patient surgery is necessary.
Runners, walkers, dancers, and other athletes experience a wide range of sport medicine problems, from simple heel or arch pain to tendonitis to ankle sprains, shin splints, weak ankles or ankle sprains, and fractures. We know how important athletics are to these people and we work with them to get them well while trying to find ways to keep them active. A big part of sports medicine is using gait analysis and custom made orthotics to alleviate pain, improve biomechanics, and prevent injury. To learn more about sports injury medicine click here.
Common sports medicine foot injury and sports ankle injury problems our podiatrists provide treatment for includes basketball foot injury or basketball ankle injury, soccer foot injury or soccer toe injury, ballet foot injury or ballet toe injury, volleyball foot injury or volleyball ankle injury, running foot injury or running heel pain or running heel injury or running ankle injury, and football foot injury or football ankle injury, and baseball foot injury or baseball ankle injury. Read about our athletic foot injury and athletic ankle injury treatment by clicking here.
Ingrown Toe Nails
Ingrown toenails occur in the toes of people of all ages, and can become very sore and even infected. Ingrown toenails are also one of he most common problems we see at our Northwest Indiana podiatrist office. Most ingrown toenail problems are usually taken care of with a simple procedure that only takes a couple of minutes in the office and people walk immediately. To learn more about ingrown toenail problems our podiatrists treat click here.
Other Toenail Problems (Fungal Toenails, Thick Toenails)
Toenails take a lot of abuse and thick, dark, yellow, cracking or brittle toenails may be a sign that fungus (ringworm) has infected them or other problems.
These thick toenails or fungal toenails may or may not be painful, but you should still have the fungus removed and eliminated. In rare cases, toenails can develop cancer or other problems and if we suspect a serious problem, we work with a pathology lab that specializes in analyzing these types of problems. For most routine toenail problems, our Northwest Indiana podiatrist treatments include topical creams and gels, pills or in severe cases, the podiatrist may need to remove part of the toenail.
To make an appointment to have your feet and ankles evaluated by our award-winning podiatry office, please call us today at (219)663-2273 or make an appointment online by clicking here now.
Bent or Crooked Toe (Hammertoe or Claw Toe)
Bent or crooked toes are often unsightly and can develop painful corns. A hammertoe is not the same as a hammer-thumb, which occurs when I try to put a nail in the wall! A hammertoe occurs when a toe becomes bent or contracted. These toes may be sore or have a painful corn on them. Our podiatrist office sees many patients with hammertoe deformities.
Closely related to a hammertoe deformity is a claw toe and mallet toe deformity. Bent and crooked toes often start to form slowly and worsen with time. Our Northwest Indiana foot doctor office often corrects these problems with a short out-patient procedure that our podiatrist can do for you.
To make an appointment to have your feet and ankles evaluated by our award-winning podiatry office, please call us today at (219)663-2273 or make an appointment online by clicking here now.
Weak Ankles and Frequent Ankle Sprains (Ankles that “Give Out”)
Many people believe they have to live with weak ankles, frequent ankle sprains or ankles that “give out” on them. This is not the case! Our doctors use a variety of treatments for people who have ankle weakness or who endure repeat ankle sprains, and the good news is that most of these people do not need surgery.
Neuromas (Morton’s Neuroma or Intermetatarsal Neuroma)
A neuroma (Morton’s neuroma) is a condition that arises from irritation of a nerve and the possible formation of scar tissue around the nerve. Our Northwest Indiana foot doctors see people with painful neuroma issues (or Morton’s neuroma) routinely. It occurs most commonly in the small nerve that runs through the ball of the foot. Most neuromas can usually be alleviated in the office, without surgery though if surgery is necessary, the procedure to alleviate neuroma pain is usually done quickly and on an outpatient basis.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Almost everyone has heard of carpal tunnel syndrome which affects the hands, but few people realize the same problem occurs in our feet. Tarsal tunnel syndrome may cause burning, tingling, shooting pain, pins and needles or a cramping pain in our heel or the bottom of our foot. The good news is that there is a light at the end of this tunnel. Our Northwest Indiana podiatrists alleviate tarsal tunnel syndrome in a variety of ways. Often, tarsal tunnel syndrome or a nerve entrapment of this type is often easily treated with foot orthotics (or custom-made arch supports), injections or a short, outpatient procedure. Read more about our podiatrists treatment of nerve problems by clicking here.
Sore Heels and Feet (Foot or Arch Cramps)
Sore, achy heels or feet and foot cramps can come on suddenly and go away in a few minutes or they can persist for days and even months. Our Northwest Indiana foot doctor office sees many people with foot cramps and sore feet or a sore, painful heel. Foot cramps may occur when people try to walk or at night when lying in bed. Foot cramps can be due several different reasons, including a pinched nerve, muscle spasms, poor circulation or poor footwear. Any foot doctor in our Northwest Indiana podiatry office can often alleviate heel pain or sore, cramping feet quickly and without the need for surgery.
Geriatric Podiatry (Geriatric Foot Care)
Geriatric podiatry / geriatric foot care is a big part of our Northwest Indiana podiatrists’ focus. Geriatric podiatry is about keeping seniors and the elderly active and moving – keeping our geriatric foot and ankle patients on their feet. Nowadays, seniors and the elderly want to be able to walk, exercise and participate in activities. Geriatric foot pain may require a different approach, more suited to the person’s age and perhaps, other medical problems. Geriatric patients also may want simple solutions to keeping them active and walking without pain. Our podiatrists understand how important keeping active is for seniors, and if you are elderly or just getting older, you do not need to live with geriatric foot pain or ankle pain. See one of our podiatrists today and get moving again!
Ligament Problems and Injuries (Foot & Ankle Sprains)
Ligaments are special important tissues that help hold the bones of our feet and ankles in their proper position. When ligaments become sprained, strained, injured or outright torn, our feet and ankles can become weak or painful. We may feel unsteady while walking or our feet or ankles may give out at times. Often any Northwest Indiana foot doctor in our office these problems can be treated without the need for surgery. Our podiatrists also give cortisone injections for ligament pain, particularly for plantar fasciitis pain.
Our award winning podiatrist Northwest Indiana office alleviates heel, toe, foot and ankle problems for people in Northwest Indiana. If you need a podiatrist in Merrillville, in Winfield, in Schererville, in Valparaiso, in Dyer, in Portage, in Gary, in Dyer, in Highland, in St. John, in Cedar Lake, in Griffith, in Lowell, in Wheatfield, in DeMotte, in Rensselaer, in Hammond, in Munster, in Lafayette, in Kouts or in Chesterton, we are nearby and worth the drive!
Foot, Ankle and Toe Deformities
Some people may be born with an abnormality or deformity of their foot, ankle or toes, or they may develop a deformity over time. Problems can also be the result of a traumatic injury or accident. Sometimes just the strain of walking day in and day out can cause pain or problems to develop. Regardless, of how the deformity came about, our doctors see these types of problems often.
Senior Heel, Foot and Ankle Care or Geriatric Foot Treatment
As people in Northwest Indiana and elsewhere age, our heels, feet and ankles often begin to develop painful conditions and problems. These problems can range from heel pain (heel spurs or plantar fascistic) to foot and ankle arthritis or osteoporosis to simply a feeling of weakness in the ankles.
It is important that the feet and ankles of our seniors get all the help they can and our Northwest Indiana foot doctors are pros at giving our older, mature patients feet and ankles special attention.
Wounds, Open Sores, Foot Ulcers and Infections
Our feet take a beating and as a result, may develop an open wound (foot ulcer) or even become infected. Sometimes even simple problems, such as ingrown toe nails, can become infected.
It is important to treat any open sore, ingrown toenail, wound or infection promptly. Wounds and infections are common in people with diabetes or poor circulation (PVD) and these wounds or sores should be treated promptly to avoid more serious problems or infections, including gangrene.
Our Northwest Indiana podiatrist office understands how important it is to treat wounds, infections, sore and even ingrown toenails, including the urgency of treating people who have a diabetic foot problem or a diabetic foot infection with comprehensive and thorough diabetic foot treatment. If you have an infection or open sore, call us now at (219)663-2273. To learn more about diabetic foot treatment click here.
To make an appointment to have your feet and ankles evaluated by our award-winning podiatry office, please call us today at (219)663-2273 or make an appointment online by clicking here now.
Foreign Bodies, Splinters and Puncture Wounds
Even when we walk in the safest places, if we are not careful, we can step on foreign objects such as pieces of glass or metal. When these foreign objects (or foreign bodies) become stuck inside our foot, they can become painful. Often, our Northwest Indiana foot doctor will perform a small procedure to remove the object or splinter.
Cracked Heels (Dry Skin on the Heels)
Dry, cracked skin on our heels and feet occurs when skin thickens and breaks open (fissures), and since our heels are the first part of our body to hit the floor, dry skin can make our heels very sore and painful. Infection can also occur if this problem is left untreated. Fortunately, the treatment is relatively is easy when caught early. Our doctors will usually prescribe a topical medication.
Poor Circulation or Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
Our doctors do not treat poor circulation (PAD) but they do treat foot and ankle problems that can be caused by a lack of good circulation to the feet.
These types of problems may include pain, infections, wounds, and open sores, as people with poor circulation (or PAD or PVD) are at greater risk to develop infection and sores. It is important that people with poor circulation (PAD) who have a foot problem see a podiatrist at our Northwest Indiana office promptly for treatment.
Diabetic Feet and Diabetic Foot Treatment
It is vital that all diabetic patients be committed to taking care of their diabetic feet properly and schedule an annual visit with our Northwest Indiana podiatrists or another foot and ankle specialist. Diabetics are at risk for developing a diabetic foot ulcer and a diabetic foot infection, which if left untreated, could lead to gangrene or amputation.
Common ailments, such as corns, calluses and ingrown toenails can become very serious and threatening conditions for a diabetic foot. The foot doctors at our Northwest Indiana office specialize in fitting diabetic patients with special diabetic shoes and custom – made diabetic inserts. Read more about our podiatrists’ care of diabetic feet by clicking here.
To make an appointment to have your feet and ankles evaluated by our award-winning podiatry office, please call us today at (219)663-2273 or make an appointment online by clicking here now.
Corns and Calluses
Corns and calluses are often due to areas of excessive pressure or friction between a shoe and a bony prominence or spur. Calluses are areas of thickened, tough skin generally found on the bottom of the foot.
Corns are the rough, thickened skin irritations found on the tops and sides of the toes, very often the little toe, and are generally associated with bent or crooked toes. Most corns and calluses can be alleviated with a short out-patient procedure.
Achilles Tendon Pain (Achilles Tendonitis)
People who have Achilles tendon pain or problems experience pain at the back of their leg or at the back of their heel. The Achilles tendon may be inflamed, irritated or even have a tear in it. By using our in-office, computerized ultrasound machine, we can often quickly examine the Achilles tendon and diagnosis the problem.
Often our foot doctor can determine if you have an Achilles tendon tear quickly during your visit with us. Our Northwest Indiana podiatrist office treats an Achilles tendon tear and/or Achilles tendon pain or an Achilles tendon problem in a variety of ways including sometimes making a special brace to limit the Achilles tendon’s movement, injections, or surgery.
To make an appointment to have your feet and ankles evaluated by our award-winning podiatry office, please call us today at (219)663-2273 or make an appointment online by clicking here now.
Pain in the Ball of the Foot (Metatarsalgia or Stress Fractures)
One of the most common problems our Northwest Indiana podiatrist office sees with our patients is pain in the ball of one or both feet. This pain in the ball of the foot can be due to a number of different causes, such as a stress fracture, pinched nerve, neuroma, tendon injury, arthritis or simply inflammation.
Oftentimes, more than one problem will contribute to causing the pain in the ball of the foot. The majority of people who have pain in the ball of their foot can be treated easily by our Northwest Indiana foot doctor quickly and usually without surgery.
Gout
Known as the “rich man’s disease,” gout doesn’t just affect the rich. Gout is a type of arthritis that most often occurs in the joint at the base of the great toe, causing redness, swelling, and pain. Some patients say the gout pain was so severe that they couldn’t stand their bed sheet resting on their toe. Other patients describe less intense pain.
Gout occurs when too much uric acid is present in our body. Uric acid is a natural chemical that our bodies manufacture, and we ingest in certain foods, like pork or liver. Treatment of gout consists of altering the patient’s diet to limit the amount of uric acid they ingest, and if that isn’t enough, medication is prescribed. For immediate gout pain relief, sometimes the doctor will give patients an injection
To make an appointment to have your feet and ankles evaluated by our award-winning podiatry office, please call us today at (219)663-2273 or make an appointment online by clicking here now.
Children’s Foot Problems (Pediatric Foot Care)
It’s important that your children’s feet start off on the right foot! Foot pain and problems in children’s feet (or your child’s foot) is rarely normal and if your child is having foot pain, he or she needs to see us.
A child’s foot pain is never normal. Some of the common foot problems we see with children are plantar warts, a child in-toeing, out-toeing, a child with flat feet, ingrown toe nails, fractures and heel pain. Sometimes the first sign of foot problem is the child walking abnormally, or even tripping, falling or just not keeping up with their peers. Read more about our podiatrists’ care of children’s foot problems by clicking here.
To make an appointment to have your feet and ankles evaluated by our award-winning podiatry office, please call us today at (219)663-2273 or make an appointment online by clicking here now.
Athlete’s Foot (Foot Fungus)
Athlete’s foot is not only for athletes! Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the foot and anyone can get them. These infections can make your feet smell awful and may make your skin dry, itchy, or red. You may even get open sores, blisters or fluid weeping from the skin. Sometimes fungal infections can occur between the toes, making the skin look whitish or macerated. We often clear up these problems quickly by prescribing cream or pills.
Knee Pain, Hip Pain and Back Pain
As foot doctors, we do not treat knee, hip or back problems. But, if your feet are affecting how your body is aligned, contributing to causing the pain in your knees, hips, back or elsewhere, we can address your foot issues. Often, flat feet (or even high arched feet) can throw off the alignment of your body, contributing to pain in your knees, hips, or back. Dr. Nirenberg first became interested in becoming a podiatrist when his father’s knee pain was alleviated by wearing custom-made orthotics (arch supports). Our doctors are big believers in the power of custom-made orthotics to help you walk better and feel better.
Bone Spurs
Bone spurs are protrusions of bone that form on your feet. Most people think of bone spurs as occurring on the bottom of heels, called a heel spur, but spurs can be just about anywhere on the foot. A bone spur is usually associated with a muscle or ligament, and often is painful. Bone spurs may need to be treated with a cortisone injection. If you have a bone spur, the podiatrist may suggest an injection of cortisone to alleviate the bone spur pain.
Our doctors have numerous techniques to treat spurs. Bone spurs can also be found with Achilles tendon pain and an Achilles tendon tear. Heel spur pain can be related to plantar fasciitis or other heel pain problems. To read more about heel pain and plantar fasciitis click here.
To make an appointment to have your feet and ankles evaluated by our award-winning podiatry office, please call us today at (219)663-2273 or make an appointment online by clicking here now.
Tired, Achy Feet or Ankles
Many people have tired, achy feet or ankles and believe these foot problems are due to growing older. Although aging may contribute to tired, achy feet, often other causes contribute to feet and ankles becoming tired, achy or outright sore. Our Northwest Indiana foot doctor office podiatrists will start by examining your feet and by identifying the underlying problem or problems. Your feet will soon be on their way to feeling strong and pain free.
Sometimes tired, achy feet are due to flatfeet. Dr. Nirenberg is trained in the HyProCure procedure for flatfeet. This procedure is an out-patient procedure for children and adults. Restoring an arch to a flatfoot, improves foot function and may reduce strain on the foot and plantar fascia and tendons.
Pump Bump or Heel Bump (Haglund’s Deformity)
A pump bump is a painful growth of bone that forms at the back of your heel or heels. They can protrude from the back of your heels and cause heel pain when trying to wear shoes or walk.
A bump pump can be associated with Achilles tendon pain or an Achilles tendon rupture or an Achilles tendon thickening (Achilles tendinitis) or an Achilles tendon tear.
These Achilles tendon issues cause Achilles tendon pain and may cause calf pain. (Though, calf pain may also be a sign of a blood clot which can be life threatening.) If you have heel pain at the back of your heel (pain at the back of the heel) you may be starting to get a pump bump. We treat these with a simple brace, injection or out-patient surgery.
To make an appointment to have your feet and ankles evaluated by our award-winning podiatry office, please call us today at (219)663-2273 or make an appointment online by clicking here now.
High Arched Feet (Cavus Feet)
People with high arches often have more foot problems. High arches cause the force of us walking to be directed onto a smaller area—just our heel and ball of our foot. The result is often heel pain, forefoot pain and problems, and even ankle pain.
Bursitis of the Heel
A bursa is a tiny bag of fluid found at various places throughout our body. In the foot bursitis can occur in several places, particular you can have bursitis of the back of the heel and bursitis of the bottom of the heel.
When these bursa become sore and inflamed, it is called bursitis. Bursitis of the heel is painful and people often find themselves limping. Bursitis of the back of the heel may be associated with Achilles tendon pain or problems of the Achilles tendon (even a tear).
To make an appointment to have your feet and ankles evaluated by our award-winning podiatry office, please call us today at (219)663-2273 or make an appointment online by clicking here now.
Excessive Pronation and Excessive Supination
Pronation and supination are normal motions that our foot goes through as we walk. Supination and pronation are mirror or opposite motions. Whenever we are walking, our foot is either supinating or pronating (or in-between the two, which we call neutral). Too much pronation can cause problems, such as heel pain (or heel spur or plantar fasciitis), neuromas or other problems. Too much supination can lead to other painful conditions, such as weak ankles, stress fractures or other problems.
Sometimes for people with fallen arches or flatfeet our podiatrists will use custom made foot orthotics or surgery to improve the arch and lessen over-pronation. The podiatrist may use the revoluationary HyProCure procedure to fix or improve a flat foot deformity or fallen arch. The HyProCure procedure is simple, quick out-patient surgery that allows people (children or adults) to get back to most of their activities within a short time.
Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are viruses that can occur anywhere on our feet and even can form under toenails. Sometimes they can be painful and unsightly. Children tend to get warts more than adults do because their immune system is not fully developed. Warts are contagious and often continue to grow and spread—so the sooner we can treat them the better! We use a variety of measures to treat plantar warts, including topical medications and hi-tech lasers.
Tight Achilles Tendon or Equinus Deformity
Persons with a tight Achilles tendon may suffer with pain at the back of the heel, ankle or lower leg (calf pain) when walking or standing. Often the Achilles tendon is tight.
At times, this Achilles tendon tightness may cause the ankle to not flex upward as much as it should and the patient may develop an equinus deformity. Our Northwest Indiana foot doctors often alleviate tight Achilles tendons (or an equinus deformity) with a simple 10 to 15 minute out-patient procedure that lengthens the tendon through a very small incision
Painful Scars and Scar Tissue
Often injuries or other problems can leave people with painful scars and scar tissue. We offer numerous treatments to alleviate them.
Lumps, Bumps, Cysts and Other Lesions
Any lump, bump, growth, or other lesion on our feet or ankles is often not normal. These may be simple cysts or moles, or in some cases aggressive tumors or cancer. Our doctors may treat these problems with creams or other medications, or may use the hi-tech laser.
Swollen Feet or Ankles
Swelling of the feet or ankles can be due to many problems. You may have arthritis, and underlying medical problem or even a fracture or tumor.
Difficulty or Pain When Walking or Standing
Many of the patients our podiatrists treat have a difficult or painful time when walking or even standing. Other people our podiatrists provide treatment for experience excessive tiredness (or fatigue) when trying to walk.
Some of our more senior patients relate that they feel unsteady when they walk. If you suffer with any of these problems when you walk or you simply become sore or achy, you are not alone. We see patients with these types of walking-related issues often. Our foot doctors will work to alleviate the problem quickly and make walking fun and invigorating again.
To make an appointment to have your feet and ankles evaluated by our award-winning podiatry office, please call us today at (219)663-2273 or make an appointment online by clicking here now.
Shin Splints (Leg Pain)
Shin splints can cause pain in your legs and around the ankles. Athletes, particularly runners or aggressive walkers, are prone to developing shin splints, but anyone can get them. Often, shin splints are due to faulty foot mechanics and in these cases, our doctor may make custom-made arch supports (orthotics) to alleviate the problem.
Foot and Ankle Injuries (Including Sprains, Fractures and Tendon Tears)
Our feet are often banged, bumped, kicked and if we drop our bowling ball or other athletic foot injury or athletic ankle injury (sports injury of the foot or sports injury of the ankle) , it seems to find our foot! With the variety of activities we do nowadays, our feet and ankles tend to end up injured.
Our podiatrist office provides foot sprain treatment, ankle sprain treatment, foot fracture treatment, ankle fracture treatment and toe fracture treatment, The podiatrists also treat tendon tears, ankle sprains and other traumatic injuries can be serious. Most of these problems do not require surgery, much to our patients’ relief! Call us today at (219)663-2273.
Workers Compensation and Work-Related Injuries
Our podiatrist office treats foot and ankle work-related injuries, including work-related fractures, sprains and tendon tears. In most cases, the our expert foot doctors send regular reports to your employer’s workers compensation insurance carrier to keep them apprised of your medical care and work status.
To make an appointment to have your feet and ankles evaluated by our award-winning podiatry office, please call us today at (219)663-2273 or make an appointment online by clicking here now.
Fat Pad Atrophy
Some people lose the fat under their heel or foot, either due to aging, systemic medical issues or other reasons. The fat on the bottom of our foot acts as important cushioning for us. Our foot and ankle experts utilize artificial skin substitutes, grafts and other “fillers,” to repair and replace areas under the foot that need more padding.
Expert Analysis of Prior Treatment or Surgery
Patients who have complicated problems that may be the result of treatment or foot surgery from other podiatrists, orthopedic surgeons or other physicians should have Dr. Nirenberg review their prior care or medical records to see what options are available for them to have their feet or ankles feel better again. Dr. Nirenberg is one of the few forensic podiatrists in the U.S. Click Here.
Other Foot and Ankle Problems We Treat:
- Sprains/Fractures and Ligament Tears
- Gangrene (particular in a diabetic foot infection)
- Lumps, Bumps, Cysts and Tumors
- Work-Related Injuries
- Osteoporosis
- Dislocations
- Lupus or Rheumatoid arthrits or psoriatic arthritis of the foot
- In-Toeing and Out-Toeing
- Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)
- Heel Spurs (Bone Spurs)
- Tendonitis/Tendon Tears
- Numbness or Tingling or Burning
- Abnormal Walking or Gait Problems or Limping
- Dropfoot or Paralysis or Weakness
- Osteoarthritis
- Geriatric foot care or elderly foot care (senior foot care)
- Limping (and limping from heel pain)
- Bone Contusions
- Stress Fractures
- Loss of balance or balance issues (falling or feeling unteady)
- Limb Length Discrepancy
- Accessory Bone problems (accessory ossicles)
Our Northwest Indiana podiatrist office treats people from Valparaiso, Crown Point, Merrillville, Schererville, Griffith, Dyer, Gary, Portage, St. John, Schererville, Highland, Lowell, Chesterton, Cedar Lake, Wheatfield, Hobart, Hammond, Munster, Lafayette, Michigan City, Kouts, East Chicago and Valparaiso, and Chicago! Call us today or make an appointment now – CLICK HERE!
Low-Cost, Affordable Cash Price and Payment Plans for Foot & Ankle Treatment
If you do not have insurance or you are under-insured, or you have a high deductible and wish to pay cash, we will work with you! We understand that not everyone has insurance and we offer an affordable, reduced fee, low-cost cash price (and payment plans) for foot and ankle treatment. Our foot and ankle treatment fees for patients paying cash is reasonable, as are our payment plans, and we will work to get you in quickly and at a reasonable cash price for podiatry care.
Should you need foot or ankle surgery, we also partner with a local, Indiana-licensed accredited surgery center to do our best to try to keep surgery costs low for you.
If you need a low-cost, affordable cash price for foot or ankle treatment or foot surgery, please call our insurance/billing department today at (219)663-2273.
Our award winning Northwest Indiana podiatry practice treats foot and ankle problems for people throughout Northwest Indiana, including Merrillville, Winfield, Schererville, Valparaiso, Dyer, Portage, Gary, Dyer, Highland, St. John, Griffith, Lowell, Wheatfield, DeMotte, Rensselaer, Cedar Lake, Hammond, Munster, Hobart, Lafayette, Kouts, Roselawn and Chesterton. If you have any questions about your feet or ankles please make an appointment to see one of our foot doctors or send us an email. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Nirenberg or another podiatrist at Friendly Foot Care, please call (219)663-2273.
