Medical and Surgical Treatment of Arch Disorders

Foot pain is often the result of the arch.  This is particularly commonly in patients with fallen arches, otherwise known as flat feet. At Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care, we provide a wide range of medical and surgical treatment of arch disorders, pain, and discomfort. Due to your arches, you may develop another condition called plantar fasciitis, which causes pain and inflammation from the arch to the heel. Our treatment options will help you find from arch-related foot pain.

We provide both surgical and non-surgical treatment options for arch disorders. The following surgeries may be required if medical treatment is not reducing your pain or discomfort:

• Excision to remove spurs


• Lateral column lengthening for creating a natural arch


• Tendon transfer to form an arch by pulling tendons in your foot


• Synovectomy to clean the protective coverings of your foot’s tendons

Arch disorders and other foot conditions cause moderate to severe pain. They may be worse when you are walking or standing on your feet for a long time, but we recommend regular physical activity along with other lifestyle changes. To find out more about treatment options for arch disorders, visit our office in Seldotna, AK.

Flat Feet

Do you have flat feet?  This condition commonly affects children that don’t develop arches as they grow.  Flatfeet can also occur after injury or due to the simple wear and tear of age.  People with flat feet have virtually no arch in their foot, so the entire sole comes into contact with the ground.  Although the condition is painless, it can contribute to a number of problems that affect your ankles and knees when walking or wearing shoes. 

It is important for children to have their feet examined as they develop.  While it is common for infants and toddlers to have flat feet, children in grade school should begin to show development of an arch.  Adults should also schedule an examination after a foot injury, as arches can fall due to weakened or injured tendons. 

Flat feet can be treated with orthotic arches, therapeutic stretches, and adequate footwear.  While orthotic arches reduce pain, therapeutic stretches can be used to strengthen tendons.  With proper care and foot support, you can properly treat fallen arches and prevent pain.

If you suspect flat feet may be the cause of your discomfort, or you are concerned about your child’s foot development, please visit my practice for a complete exam.

Plantar Fasciitis

When heel pain affects your ability to carry out routine tasks, it can quickly become frustrating.  For many active patients, heel pain is a sign of a common inflammatory condition known as plantar faciitis.  While the condition is common, it is very important to seek proper care and treatment.

Poor foot mechanics, insufficient footwear support, arthritis, stress fractures and nerve issues can all cause plantar faciitis to develop.  Since there are a number of factors that can contribute to the condition, it is important to visit my practice for a professional podiatry exam.  This is the best way to determine the root cause of the issue and find a treatment that is best for your needs.  We offer a number of comprehensive treatments to patients who are seeking relief from plantar faciitis.

If you have been experiencing heel pain, or you are in need of any other type of foot or ankle care, please call us at (907) 260-3668 and schedule your appointment. 

Tendonitis

Repetitive impacts or severe injuries can cause tendonitis, a familiar condition to many athletes that push themselves to give their best performance on a regular basis.  The Achilles tendon is the biggest tendon in your body, connecting your calf muscle to your heel.  It makes it possible for you to rise up on your toes or push off when walking or running.  When this tendon becomes irritated and inflamed from overuse or injury, movement becomes painful.

Tendonitis isn’t limited to athletes.  Anyone who exercises regularly or pushes themselves to new levels of exertion is prone to inflammation.  Risk of tendonitis also increases with age, as tendons lose elasticity over time.  If you are experiencing tendonitis, it is important to seek professional care.  I encourage patients experiencing any foot pain to visit my practice where we can explore the treatment options available to you.

Skin and Nail Disorders

The foot is a highly resilient part of the body that is subjected to some serious demands and circumstances that can lead to a number of skin and nail disorders.  While many of these disorders can be uncomfortable and unsightly, the good news is that they’re typically easy to treat with professional podiatric care. Here at Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care, we offer a complete array of services for skin and nail disorders that affect the foot, including:

• Allergic Contact Dermatitis


• Athletes Foot


• Calluses


• Infections


• Ingrown Toenails


• Plantar Warts


• Xerosis


• And many others

If you are affected by any of these conditions, contact us and arrange an appointment here at Affiliated Ankle and Foot Care.

ACHING FEET

Have you ever cried, "oh my aching feet"? You're not alone. We cramp them into too-tight shoes, smother them in non breathing nylon fabric, subject them to pressure from our body weight merely by standing on them, and pound them against hard surfaces when we walk or run. No wonder our feet often develop pain and unattractive problems! Over the next few weeks we will be discussing various foot ailments. Stay tuned for more information. In the interim, you can visit our site @www.hcotler.com for lots of information.

Diagnostic Ultrasound

As our current patients know, our podiatry practice seeks the most efficient, accommodating and advanced technology.  One such example is our diagnostic ultrasound capability.  Diagnostic ultrasound allows us examine the feet and ankles with considerable clarity, and subsequently provide an accurate and prompt diagnosis. This is accomplished through soft tissue sonography, which provides even greater insight into foot conditions and abnormal tissue than traditional x-rays.

If you are experiencing any manner of foot pain, deformation, or you have noticed anything unusual regarding the health and structure of your foot, ask us how a diagnostic ultrasound could help.