Neuromas

A neuroma is a condition that occurs when a nerve becomes pinched and is extremely painful for individuals suffering from it. Neuromas are caused by stress to the body system.  This can develop from a trauma that damages the nerve, causing it to swell and become inflamed, a biochemical deformity, or from not wearing the right footwear. Many patients who come to see Dr. Harry Cotler in Soldotna, AK are looking for treatment for foot disorders, including neuromas.

Some symptoms of neuromas are pain in the feet between the toes, swelling between the toes, tingling and numbness, and pain in the ball of the foot. Some of our patients describe it as a feeling of walking on a marble. Before seeking treatment from our clinic, we suggest some home remedies like resting your foot, getting more supportive footwear and taking over-the-counter medications. Once patients are able to see us, we provide these treatment options:

1. X-rays of the foot to look for other causes of the pain.

2. Anti-inflammatory medications and cortisone injections.

3. Taping the ball of the foot to reduce pain.

4. Custom-made shoe inserts.

5. Surgical procedures for more severe pain.

Contact our office at Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care at (907) 260-3668 (Foot) if you have questions about neuromas and the treatments we provide.

Reconstructive Foot Surgery

Reconstructive foot surgery is a type of treatment that helps our patients find relief from various types of pain. Patients may be experiencing foot pain from a recent trauma, accident, a congenital abnormality, arthritis, infection, or simply from wearing the wrong footwear that is too narrow for them. With reconstructive foot surgery, Dr. Harry Cotler is able to restore the stability and function in the foot, while relieving the pain and discomfort from these different conditions.

There are different types of reconstructive foot surgery procedures, which vary based on the problem our patient is experiencing. These procedures include a fusing a bone in the foot, removing a tumor, transferring tendon, implanting joints and others. Because of the advanced form of surgical procedures, reconstructive foot surgery procedures are only considered when other treatments have failed. Many of the conservative treatments we provide our patients will work, but other cases are more severe and need reconstructive foot surgery.

Here at Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care, we give our patients surgical options (such as joint surgery for patients with severe arthritis that is keeping them from walking properly) for improving the mobility and function of their feet when other procedures have not worked,. Visit our website at www.hcotler.com to find out more about reconstructive foot surgery.

Corns and Calluses

Corns and calluses are not always extremely painful, but can be aesthetically displeasing and sometimes cause discomfort for patients. We have many patients visit us who desire treatment for the corns or calluses on their feet, which occur when there is a type of friction or pressure from footwear. Corns and calluses can sometimes go away on their own, but in more severe cases, Dr. Harry Cotler provides treatment in Soldotna, AK.

Corns and calluses are both caused from friction and pressure on a specific area of skin. Because of the pressure, the skin on the foot dies and provides a hard surface to protect it. The majority of corns and calluses are the result of pressure from shoes:

• ·         Wearing shoes that are too tight.


• ·         Wearing shoes that are too narrow.


• ·         Loose shoes that cause rubbing and friction.


• ·         Shoes with thin soles, creating pressure on the ball of the foot.


• ·         Wearing shoes without socks.


• ·         Sandals causing friction between the toes.


• ·         Shoes with a seam or stitch rubbing against the foot.

Patients who have diabetes, or other medical conditions that cause bad circulation in the feet, should visit our Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care podiatry office as soon as they notice corns or calluses. Contact us for more information on corns and calluses.

Heel Spurs

Patients who are experiencing a hard calcium deposit under their heel bone may be dealing with heel spurs. For some patients, they are painless and hardly noticeable, but they can be quite painful for others. Some heel spurs protrude a half-inch, which is visible on an X-ray. Patients often have heel spurs along with a condition called plantar fasciitis, which causes inflammation of the connective tissue under the ball of the foot to the heel.

Some people are at a higher risk of getting heel spur, including patients who are overweight, wear improper footwear without arch support, run or jog on hard surfaces or have a walking gait abnormality. Patients who are older, have diabetes or have flat feet are also at risk.

We provide multiple treatment options for patients with heel spurs here at Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care in Soldotna, AK beginning with orthotics that are custom made. Orthotics are custom shoe inserts for different types of shoes. Changing our patient’s footwear may also be required. After orthotics, Dr. Harry Cotler also provides prescription medications like anti-inflammatory medications and cortisone injections. Surgery may also be necessary to reduce or remove the heel spurs, if they are causing or patient severe pain. Visit our website at www.hcotler.com or call us at (907) 260-3668 (Foot) to learn more about heel spurs and the treatment options.