Foot & Ankle Doctors in North Mississippi
Our foot and ankle specialists bring together a team of dedicated and highly trained physicians and support staff to diagnose and treat all conditions of the foot and ankle.
Our team provides specialized care for foot and ankle conditions that arise from (though are not limited to):
- Work related injuries
- Sports related injuries
- Fractures
- Deformities
- Congenital defects
- Progressing diseases
Common Conditions of the Foot and Ankle
Tendonitis
Progressive wear and tear on the many tendons in the lower extremities can lead to a common condition known as tendonitis. Individuals with tendonitis will typically experience pain with movement of the foot and ankle, which will gradually worsen until the area is properly treated.
Ligament Sprains and Tears
Our specialists often see issues of sprains and tears in the ligaments of the feet in athletes and other active individuals. Sprains typically only require minor intervention, while a partial or full tear can require surgical treatment.
Ankle and Foot Trauma
Injury to the foot or ankle can cause significant and lasting damage that requires careful attention from one of our foot & ankle specialists.
Problems of The Achilles’ Tendon
As one of the most important structures within the foot, and the largest tendon in the entire body, the Achilles tendon can lead to severe pain if it develops tendonitis, becomes torn, or is ruptured.
Heel Pain
Many patients describe issues of pain in the back of their foot at the heel, which most often relates to an underlying medical condition such as bursitis, a fracture, plantar fasciitis, and more.
Plantar Fasciitis
There is a particular tissue of the foot known as plantar fascia that can become inflamed, resulting in significant pain whenever pressure is applied.
Bunions and Bunionettes
Often as a result of consistently wearing improper footwear, bunions and bunionettes will form along the inner or outer edge of the foot. While these callused bumps are not often very painful, they can affect the person’s gate if they become severe.
Hammertoes
Also known as claw toes and mallet toes, hammertoes are a deformity that describes an instance when the joint buckles to cause curling or bending of the affected toe.
Flat Feet
Individuals who lack a significant arch in their foot are often suffering from flat footedness. Treatment for flat feet is not always necessary, though it is recommended if the patient is suffering from chronic pain or other recurring symptoms that interfere with their day-to-day life.
Courses of Treatment We Typically Recommend
By seeking treatment early on when your symptoms appear, the specialists located at our state-of-art the facilities, are able to provide patients with quality care for a wide variety of foot and ankle conditions.
Our office staff utilizes many modern advancements in microscopic and endoscopic surgical procedures to ensure that the diagnostic and treatment processes are completed in the most efficient and effective ways possible. Many of the conditions diagnosed at the Orthopaedic Institute of North Mississippi can be treated using one of the following treatment methods
Arthroscopy
An arthroscopic procedure is beneficial to both diagnosing as well as treating conditions of the foot or ankle.
Arthroscopic surgery involves making a very small incision, where a probe equipped with a medical grade camera is then placed and guided to give us a clear view at the internal structures of the foot. Your physician may recommend an arthroscopy of the foot or ankle if you suffer from one of the following conditions:
- Impingement
- Bone spurs
- Talar dome lesions
- Loose bodies
Ligament Repair
For injuries involving a partial or complete ligament tear in the foot, our specialists will often recommend a minimally invasive surgery to reconnect the ligament. Ligament repair is most often used to address:
- Ankle sprains
- Fixation of navicular
- Metatarsal fractures (Jones fracture)
- Severe turf toe and sesamoid injuries
If you have suffered an injury or are working with a condition regarding your feet and/or ankles, contact the Orthopaedic Institute of North Mississippi today to get a diagnosis and treatment program in place for you.
How to Care for Your Feet
Have your feet measured.
Your foot size and shape can change over time. Don't rely on the foot that you have always worn a certain size.
Source: footcaremd.org
Fit your shoes to the larger foot.
Most people have one foot that is larger than the other, so make sure you have BOTH feet measured.
Source: footcaremd.org
Get measured at the end of the day.
Get measured at the end of the day when you feet are the largest. When you are up during the day, your feet will swell and settle some. You want to make sure you are comfortable throughout the day and not just when you head out of the house in the morning.
Source: footcaremd.org
Don't rely on shoe size alone.
Just like clothes, the size marked inside the shoe may be different depending on the brand. So your shoe size is just a starting point in selecting the correct shoe.
Source: footcaremd.org
Look at the shape of the shoe.
Make sure the shoe shape resembles the shape of your foot and fits your foot comfortably.
Source: footcaremd.org
Don't plan on shoes stretching over time.
They should fit well when you buy them.
Source: footcaremd.org
Check the width of the shoe.
The ball of your foot (the widest part just before your toes begin) should fit comfortably in the widest part of the shoe.
Source: footcaremd.org
Check the depth of the shoe.
The shoe should be deep enough to fit your toes, especially if you have hammertoes or other conditions. If the shoe's toe box is too small, your toes will rub against the top of the shoe and you will get calluses or sores.
Source: footcaremd.org
Check the space at the end of the shoe.
Stand up and make sure there is 3/8" or 1/2" (about the width of your finger) between your longest toes (usually the second toe) and the end of the shoe.
Source: footcaremd.org
Always stand and walk around in the shoes.
Always stand and walk around in the shoes to see if they are comfortable, fit well, and don't chafe or rub anywhere. Your heel should not slip or slide while walking.
Source: footcaremd.org
Assess Your Foot Health for Happy Feet
Every day you depend on your feet to live, work, and play. The average period takes about 10,000 steps a day, which amounts to a lot of stress and strain on your feet and ankles. That’s why it is important to assess your foot health regularly and catch problems early. Here are 5 easy steps to examine your feet and ankles.
1. Check the appearance of your feet and ankles.
While sitting, look for things like swelling, discoloration of the skin or nails, blisters, and excessive calluses. Be sure to examine the soles of your feet and the space between the toes. While standing, look for changes in the shape of your foot and ankle. If something has changed or looks suspicious, it is time to make an appointment with your foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon.
Source: footcaremd.org
2. Assess the blood flow.
Press down on the nail of your big toe until the color fades, about 5 seconds. Then let go and allow the blood to flow to return to your toe. If you have average circulation, the return of normal color of our toe should take 2-5 seconds.
Source: footcaremd.org
3. Test your foot and ankle function and flexibility.
Try to pick up a marble or small dishtowel with just your toes to assess their flexibility. To test your ankle flexibility, stand on a stair while facing up the staircase. Hang your heel over the edge and let it go below the level of the stair. If this causes pain, stop the test. If your heel goes below the level of the stair without causing strain in your calf, your flexibility level is excellent. If there is some strain, you can correct it with flexibility exercises.
Source: footcaremd.org
4. Evaluate sensation.
Take a pencil eraser and run it to the top, bottom, and both sides of your feet. The sensation should feel the same on all sides of the foot. It may tickle on the bottom of the foot, which is normal. If you lack sensation in one area, repeat the test over the next few days. If you get the same results, talk to a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon.
Source: footcaremd.org
5. Examine your level of pain.
There should be no pain in the average, uninjured foot. If you do have pain, make sure to feel the parts of your foot to locate the exact position and source of the pain. If the pain persists for more that a few days, make and appointment with your foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon.
Source: footcaremd.org