Podiatry

Milford Regional’s podiatrists are highly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of foot and ankle conditions resulting from sports or other injuries, improper shoe fit, age, heredity, infection or an abnormality of the foot or ankle. Many of these problems can be treated with conservative methods such as exercises, medications, advice on proper shoe fit, or the use of shoe inserts or orthotics - specially made insoles for your shoes or sneakers. Physical therapy may be used along with one or more of these treatments.

In some cases, when conservative treatments are ineffective, surgery may be your best option. At Milford Regional our podiatrists are very experienced in performing surgery in our state-of-the-art surgical day center, allowing patients to return home on the same day. They treat all age groups including children, and take care of patients with special needs as well.

The most common conditions that may require surgery at Milford Regional include:

Bunion

A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the outside base of the big toe joint. There are several reasons a bunion forms on your foot including faulty foot development, inheriting a structural defect, or from an injury or arthritis. People who have flat feet or low arches are also prone to developing bunions. A bunion can be aggravated by wearing shoes that are too tight or wearing high-heeled shoes.

If your bunion isn’t painful, no treatment is required. If you experience swelling and soreness in the tissue around the joint or difficulty moving your big toe, there are several treatments available to reduce those symptoms. Home treatments include the use of bunion pads, anti-inflammatory medication, wearing roomy, comfortable, low-heeled shoes, or trying shoe inserts to more evenly distribute the pressure on your foot and control foot function.

If conservative treatments do not reduce the pain, surgery may be recommended. With a bunionectomy, your physician will remove the swollen tissue around the joint, re-align the bone from the abnormal angle it had formed and then re-join the bones in the joint.

Hammer toe

Hammer toe is a deformity of a toe (not the big toe) which forms due to an imbalance of the muscles in the toes. The abnormal balance causes increased pressure on the tendons and joints of the toe, leading it to contract and turn downward. Initially, you may be able to exercise the toe to straighten it, but over time, you will no longer be able to move the toe and a corn will likely form on the joint.

To relieve symptoms, wear shoes that fit properly and avoid high heels. Anti-inflammatory medication can be prescribed to reduce the pain. You can also try using soft insoles in your shoes or use corn pads to protect the toe. If wearing shoes and walking is still painful, surgery may be recommended. Your podiatrist will perform the surgery which involves removing the bony prominence and restoring normal alignment of the toe joint.

Neuroma

A neuroma, also called a pinched nerve, is a growth of nerve tissue that produces pain, swelling, tingling or numbness between the toes or in the ball of the foot. The exact cause of a neuroma is not clear; however a number of conditions can contribute to the formation of a neuroma including foot deformities such as high arch or flat feet, wearing shoes that are too tight and/or high heels, or trauma to the foot.

Conservative treatments include using padding for the ball of the foot, anti-inflammatory medication or cortisone injections to reduce the inflammation, or using orthotics – custom made shoe inserts that may help improve your foot function. If these treatments are ineffective, your podiatrist may recommend surgery to remove the neuroma.

Diabetic Foot Wounds/Infections

A diabetic foot wound is an open sore which commonly occurs on the bottom of the foot of patients with diabetes. A combination of factors may contribute to a diabetic foot wound including poor circulation, lack of feeling in the foot, foot deformities or trauma. Patients who have diabetes for many years can develop neuropathy – a lack of ability to feel pain in the feet due to nerve damage caused by elevated blood glucose levels over time.

If a foot wound is discovered, it is very important to seek treatment immediately to avoid an infection. Your podiatrist may remove dead skin and tissue in the wound area and apply medication and a dressing. The wound will need to be kept clean and dressed daily. If the patient needs help with the management of the wound, arrangements can often be made with the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA).

The majority of non-infected foot wounds are treated without surgery; however, if these treatments are not successful, surgery may be appropriate.